Laser beam source device, lighting device, image display apparatus, and monitoring apparatus

ABSTRACT

A laser beam source device includes: a light source which emits light having fundamental wavelength; a wavelength conversion element which converts the light having fundamental wavelength into light having conversion wavelength; a resonance element which transmits first light converted into the conversion wavelength light and reflects light not converted; an optical path conversion element which releases second light contained in the light reflected by the resonance element and converted into the conversion wavelength light in the same direction as the direction of the first light, and releases the light not converted toward the light source; and a supporting member. The resonance element is disposed in such a position that one end surface of the resonance element on the second light side is shifted to the supporting member from one end surface of the wavelength conversion element on the second light side.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/366,489 filed Feb. 5, 2009, which claimed priority to Japanese PatentApplication Number 2008-025646 filed Feb. 5, 2008. The entiredisclosures of these applications are expressly incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a laser beam source device, a lightingdevice, an image display apparatus, and a monitoring apparatus.

2. Related Art

Recently, a laser beam source device has been widely used in the fieldof light communication, light application measurement, light display,and other optoelectronics fields. The laser beam source device isdivided into the type using wavelength of fundamental laser beam withoutchange, and the type converting wavelength of fundamental laser beambefore use. The latter type of the laser beam source device includes awavelength conversion element for converting the wavelength offundamental laser, for example. The wavelength conversion element iscalled second harmonic generation (SHG) element.

Generally, the conversion efficiency of the SHG is about 30 to 40%, andtherefore the power of light converted by the SHG element is extremelysmaller than the power of output light from the fundamental laser beamsource. JP-A-59-128525 proposes a laser beam source device which has astructure for reducing power decrease of the output light. According tothis laser beam source device, light emitted from an inside resonancetype laser beam source passes through the SHG element. Then, the lightis divided into first SHG light having converted wavelength andremaining fundamental light. Subsequently, the remaining fundamentallight again passes through the SHG element to obtain second SHG lighthaving converted wavelength. The second SHG light is combined with thefirst SHG light after converted into polarized light having polarizationdirection different from that of the first SHG light by 90 degrees. Bythis method, the laser beam source device according to JP-A-59-128525reduces power decrease of the output light by using the combined lightof the first SHG light and the second SHG light as the output light.

According to the laser beam source device described in JP-A-59-128525,the remaining fundamental light again passes through the SHG element touse the second SHG light after wavelength conversion. It is difficult,however, to use the remaining fundamental light which has wavelength notconverted even after again passing through the SHG element. In thiscase, the use efficiency of light does not dramatically increase.Moreover, when this remaining fundamental light is returned to thefundamental laser beam source without change, there is a possibilitythat the power of the fundamental laser beam source decreases or becomesunstable. In this case, such a structure which prevents return of theremaining fundamental light to the light source is required, and thusthe size of the optical system becomes larger. In addition, the lengthof the optical path increases or light needs to pass through the opticalelements a larger number of times, which produces loss of light.

When the laser beam source device is combined with a liquid crystaldevice, a diffusion optical member for diffusing light from the laserbeam source device is required. Light supplied to the liquid crystaldevice via a large-sized diffusion optical member has low imageformability. Thus, compactness of the diffusion optical member isdemanded.

SUMMARY

It is an advantage of some aspects of the invention to provide a laserbeam source device, a lighting device, an image display apparatus, and amonitoring apparatus, capable of increasing light utilization efficiencyand reducing size of an optical member disposed downstream.

A laser beam source device according to a first aspect of the inventionincludes: a light source which emits light having fundamentalwavelength; a wavelength conversion element which receives the lighthaving fundamental wavelength and emitted from the light source andconverts at least a part of the received light into light havingpredetermined conversion wavelength; a resonance element which transmitsfirst light converted into the predetermined conversion wavelength lightand reflects light not converted into the predetermined conversionwavelength toward the wavelength conversion element; an optical pathconversion element which releases second light contained in the lightreflected by the resonance element and converted into the predeterminedconversion wavelength light bypassing through the wavelength conversionelement substantially in the same direction as the direction of thefirst light transmitted through the resonance element, and releases thelight not converted into the predetermined conversion wavelength lighttoward the light source; and a supporting member which supports thewavelength conversion element, the resonance element, and the opticalpath conversion element on one end surface of the supporting member. Theresonance element is disposed in such a position that one end surface ofthe resonance element on the second light side is shifted to thesupporting member from one end surface of the wavelength conversionelement on the second light side.

According to the laser beam source device of this aspect of theinvention, light emitted from the light source enters the wavelengthconversion element, and at least a part of the light is converted to thepredetermined conversion wavelength light. The first light convertedinto the predetermined conversion wavelength light by the wavelengthconversion element passes through the resonance element.

On the other hand, the light not converted into the predeterminedconversion wavelength light by the wavelength conversion element isreflected by the resonance element and again passes through thewavelength conversion element. Then, the light not converted into thepredetermined conversion wavelength light while passing the wavelengthconversion element is guided to the light source by the optical pathconversion element. The light emitted from the light source is resonatedbetween the light source and the resonance element and is amplified. Theoptical path of the second light converted into the predeterminedconversion wavelength while again passing through the wavelengthconversion element is bended by the optical path conversion elementsubstantially in the same direction as that of the first lighttransmitted through the resonance element.

The resonance element is disposed in such a position that one endsurface of the resonance element on the second light side is shifted tothe supporting member from one end surface of the wavelength conversionelement on the second light side. In this arrangement, the second lightwhose optical path is bended by the optical path conversion elementdiffuses in the traveling direction. However, the first light and thesecond light can be directed to come close to one another whilepreventing the second light from being applied to the resonance elementdisposed away from the light source. Thus, utilization efficiency oflight improves, and the size of an optical element disposed downstreamfrom the laser beam source device can be reduced.

It is preferable that the optical path conversion element includes: aseparating unit disposed between the light source and the wavelengthconversion element on the optical path to release the second lightcontained in the light reflected by the resonance element in a directiondifferent from the direction toward the light source, and release theremaining light not converted into the predetermined conversionwavelength light toward the light source; and a reflecting unit whichreflects the second light released from the separating unitsubstantially in the same direction as the direction of the first lighttransmitted through the resonance element.

According to this structure, the second light reflected by the resonanceelement and converted into the predetermined conversion wavelength lightby passing through the wavelength conversion element can be released ina desired direction by the separating unit and the reflecting unit.Thus, the second light can be easily released substantially in the samedirection as that of the first light.

Moreover, the second light can be directed toward the first light bycontrolling the reflecting unit. Thus, the light converted into thepredetermined conversion wavelength light by the wavelength conversionelement can be efficiently supplied to the optical element bycontrolling the reflecting unit according to the size of the opticalelement disposed downstream from the laser beam source device.

It is preferable that the wavelength conversion element is disposed insuch a position that the one end surface of the wavelength conversionelement is shifted to the supporting member from the end portion of theseparating unit closest to the light source.

According to this structure, the wavelength conversion element isdisposed in such a position that the one end surface of the wavelengthconversion element is shifted to the supporting member from the endportion of the separating unit closest to the light source. That is, theend portion of the separating unit, the one end surface of thewavelength conversion element, and the one end surface of the resonanceelement are disposed on the supporting member in this order. In thisarrangement, the second light whose optical path is bended by theoptical path conversion element diffuses in the traveling direction.However, the second light is prevented from being applied to thewavelength conversion element as well as the resonance element. Thus,utilization efficiency of light improves, and the size of an opticalelement disposed downstream from the laser beam source device can bereduced.

It is preferable that the areas on the end surfaces of the optical pathconversion element, the wavelength conversion element, and the resonanceelement for receiving light emitted from the light source decrease inthe order of optical path conversion element, the wavelength conversionelement, and the resonance element.

According to this structure, the areas on the end surfaces of theoptical path conversion element, the wavelength conversion element, andthe resonance element for receiving light emitted from the light sourcedecrease in the order of optical path conversion element, the wavelengthconversion element, and the resonance element. In this arrangement, theoptical path conversion element, the wavelength conversion element, andthe resonance element are made compact. Thus, cost reduction can beachieved.

It is preferable that the laser beam source device further includes awavelength selection element disposed between the optical pathconversion element and the wavelength conversion element on the opticalpath to transmit light contained in the light released from the opticalpath conversion element and having predetermined selection wavelength.In this case, the wavelength selection element is disposed in such aposition that one end surface of the wavelength selection element isshifted to the supporting member from the end portion of the separatingunit closest to the light source.

According to this structure, predetermined selection wavelength lightcontained in the light emitted from the light source is transmitted bypassing through the wavelength selection element. By this method, thespectrum of the oscillation wavelength of light reciprocating betweenthe light source and the resonance element is limited. Thus, lighthaving desired wavelength can be emitted in a stable manner.

Moreover, the wavelength selection element is disposed in such aposition that one end surface of the wavelength selection element isshifted to the supporting member from the end portion of the separatingunit closest to the light source. In this arrangement, the second lightwhose optical path is bended by the optical path conversion elementdiffuses in the traveling direction. However, the second light isprevented from being applied to the wavelength selection element. Thus,utilization efficiency of light more securely improves even when thewavelength selection element is used. Accordingly, the size of anoptical element disposed downstream from the laser beam source devicecan be reduced.

A lighting device according to a second aspect of the inventionincludes: the laser beam source device described above; and a diffusionoptical member disposed in the traveling direction of laser beam emittedfrom the laser beam source device.

The lighting device according to the second aspect of the inventionincludes the laser beam source device described above. Thus, the size ofthe diffusion optical member is reduced, and the emitted laser beam hashigh image formability and high performance.

An image display apparatus according to a third aspect of the inventionincludes: the laser beam source device described above; and an imageforming device which displays an image having desired size on a displaysurface by using light emitted from the laser beam source device.

According to the image display apparatus of this aspect of theinvention, laser beam emitted from the laser beam source device entersthe image forming device. Then, an image formed by the image formingdevice is displayed on the display surface. In this case, the lightemitted from the light source device is high-power laser beam. Thus, thedisplayed image becomes bright and clear image.

A monitoring apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the inventionincludes: the laser beam source device described above; and an imagepickup unit which shoots an image of a subject by using laser beamemitted from the laser beam source device.

According to the monitoring apparatus of this aspect of the invention,the subject is illuminated by laser beam emitted from the laser beamsource device, and the image of the subject is shot by using the imagepickup unit. In this case, the light emitted from the light sourcedevice is high-power laser beam as described above. Thus, the subject isilluminated by bright light, and the image obtained by the image pickupunit becomes clear image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a laser beam source device according to afirst embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the laser beam sourcedevice shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a modified example of the laser beamsource device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a laser beam source device according to asecond embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a lighting device according to a thirdembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an image display apparatus according to afourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an image display apparatus according to a fifthembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an image display apparatus according to a sixthembodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

A laser beam source device, a lighting device, an image displayapparatus, and a monitoring apparatus according to exemplary embodimentsof the invention are hereinafter described with reference to thedrawings. The scale is varied for each figure so that respectivecomponents in the figures can be easily recognized.

First Embodiment

A laser beam source device 1 according to this embodiment converts lightemitted from a laser beam source 11 into laser beam having predeterminedconversion wavelength, and supplies the laser beam after conversion to arod integrator (optical element) 20. More specifically, the laser beamsource device 1 includes a laser beam source (light source) 11 having anemitter 21 for emitting laser beam, a dichroic mirror (separating unit,optical path conversion element) 12, a wavelength conversion element 13,an external resonance mirror (resonance element) 14, and a reflectionmirror (reflecting unit, optical path conversion element) 17 asillustrated in FIG. 1. The dichroic mirror 12, the wavelength conversionelement 13, and the external resonance mirror 14 are mounted on an uppersurface (one end surface) 2 a of a supporting substrate (supportingmember) 2.

The laser beam source 11 is a face light emission type laser diode whichemits infrared laser beam having wavelength of 1,065 nm (fundamentalwavelength light) from an emission end surface 11 a, for example. Theemitter 21 is formed by laminating an active layer 21 b on a DBR(distributed Bragg reflector) layer 21 a as illustrated in the enlargedview in FIG. 1.

The wavelength conversion element 13 is constituted by PPLN(periodically poled lithium niobate) as a non-linear optical element,which functions as an SHG element for converting entering light intolight having substantially half wavelength and generating secondharmonic waves.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a part of light W1 emitted from the laser beamsource 11 is converted into green laser beam having substantially halfwavelength (530 nm) as predetermined conversion wavelength light bypassing through the wavelength conversion element 13.

The wavelength conversion element 13 is mounted on a temperature controlsubstrate 26 disposed on the supporting substrate 2. A thermister (notshown) for controlling temperature of the wavelength conversion element13 and a heater (not shown) are provided on the temperature controlsubstrate 26. The refractive index inside the wavelength conversionelement 13 varies according to temperature change. Thus, the wavelengthconversion element 13 is heated by the heater according to thetemperature of the wavelength conversion element 13 detected by thethermister. Since the temperature of the wavelength conversion element13 is adjusted to an appropriate temperature by the temperature controlsubstrate 26 in this manner, the laser beam emitted from the laser beamsource 11 can be efficiently converted into higher wave leaser beamhaving the predetermined conversion wavelength.

The external resonance mirror 14 functions as a resonance mirror of thelaser beam source 11 by selecting laser beam W2 (indicated by dashedline in FIG. 1) contained in the light released from the wavelengthconversion element 13 and not converted into the predeterminedconversion wavelength light and reflecting the selected laser beamtoward the laser beam source 11. The external resonance mirror 14 alsotransmits light W3 (first light, indicated by alternate long and twoshort dashed line in FIG. 1) converted into the predetermined conversionwavelength light.

The dichroic mirror 12 is disposed between the laser beam source 11 andthe wavelength conversion element 13 on the optical path. The dischroicmirror 12 reflects laser beam having predetermined conversion wavelengthin a direction different from the direction toward the laser beam source11, and transmits laser beam not converted into predetermined conversionwavelength light toward the laser beam source 11. The reflection surfaceof the dichroic mirror 12 is disposed in such a position for receivingthe laser beam reflected by the external resonance mirror 14 at theangle of 45 degrees. Thus, the laser beam converted into thepredetermined conversion wavelength light is bended by 90 degrees by thedichroic mirror 12. The dichroic mirror 12 increases transmission rateof P-polarized light to a value higher than that of S-polarized light sothat resonance by P-polarized light can be achieved.

The reflection mirror 17 reflects the laser beam having thepredetermined conversion wavelength and reflected by the dichroic mirror12 toward the rod integrator 20. The reflection surface of thereflection mirror 17 is disposed in such a position for receiving thelaser beam reflected by the dichroic mirror 12 at 45 degrees. Bydisposing the dichroic mirror 12 and the reflection mirror 17 such thatthe angle formed by these mirrors 12 and 17 becomes 90 degrees, theoptical path of the laser beam W2 reflected by the external resonancemirror 14 is bended by 180 degrees. As a result, laser beam (secondlight) W4 reflected by the reflection mirror 17 becomes substantiallyparallel with the laser beam W3 released from the external resonancemirror 14.

The reflection mirror 17 is disposed close to the dichroic mirror 12such that the laser beam W4 reflected by the reflection mirror 17 comesclose to the laser beam W3 transmitted through the external resonancemirror 14.

For directing the laser beam W4 close to the laser beam W3, thereflection mirror 17 may be disposed in such a position that the angleformed by the reflection mirror 17 and the dichroic mirror 12 becomes anangle smaller than 90 degrees. By directing the laser beam W3 and thelaser beam W4 close to each other, the size of the rod integrator 20disposed downstream can be reduced.

The dichroic mirror 12 and the reflection mirror 17 are fixed to thesupporting substrate 2 by a not-shown fixing member.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, laser beam emitted from the laser beam source11 is converged by the thermal lens effect of the laser beam source 11,and becomes light generally represented as Gaussian beam. The externalresonance mirror 14 is disposed at the position of beam waist. In thisarrangement, the reflection efficiency of the external resonance mirror14 becomes the maximum, and the utilization efficiency of the laser beamemitted from the laser beam source 11 improves.

The external resonance mirror 14 is constituted by VHG (volumeholographic grating). An upper surface (one end surface) 14 a of theexternal resonance mirror 14 on the laser beam W4 side is shifted towardthe supporting substrate 2 from an upper surface (one end surface) 13 aof the wavelength conversion element 13 on the laser beam W4 side. Theexternal resonance mirror 14 is disposed such that the laser beamemitted from the wavelength conversion element 13 passes on the uppersurface 14 a side. The wavelength conversion element 13 is shiftedtoward the supporting substrate 2 from an end portion 12 a of thedichroic mirror 12 closest to the laser beam source 11.

More specifically, assuming that the distances between the upper surface2 a of the supporting substrate 2 and a broken line A extended from theend portion 12 a of the dichroic mirror 12 in the laser beam travelingdirection, a broken line B extended from the upper surface 13 a of thewavelength conversion element 13 in the laser beam traveling direction,and a broken line C extended from the upper surface 14 a of the externalresonance mirror 14 in the laser beam traveling direction are A1, B1,and C1, respectively, the distance A1 is the longest. Also, the distanceB1 is longer than the distance C1.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the light reflected by the external resonancemirror 14 diffuses toward the laser beam source 11. Thus, the laser beamreflected by the dichroic mirror 12 and the reflection mirror 17diffuses accordingly.

Since the laser beam reflected by the reflection mirror 17 diffusestoward the rod integrator 20, the outermost portion of the laser beam W4is inclined to the supporting substrate 2. The laser beam W4 reflectedby the reflection mirror 17 is also positioned close to the laser beamW3 released from the external resonance mirror 14. Since the distancesA1, B1 and C1 decrease in this order in the diffusion direction of thelaser beam W4, the laser beam W4 reflected by the reflection mirror 17does not reach the wavelength conversion element 13 and the externalresonance mirror 14 but enters the rod integrator 20.

According to the laser beam source device 1 in this embodiment,therefore, the laser beam W4 whose optical path has been bended by thedichroic mirror 12 and the reflection mirror 17 diffuses in thetraveling direction of the laser beam W4. However, the laser beam W3 andthe laser beam W4 can be directed close to each other while the laserbeam W4 is prevented from being supplied to the external resonancemirror 14 disposed at the longest distance from the laser beam source11. Thus, the size of the rod integrator 20 disposed downstream from thelaser beam source device 1 can be reduced.

According to this embodiment, the distances A1, B1, and C1 decrease inthis order in the diffusing direction of the laser beam W4. Thus, thelaser beam W4 reflected by the reflection mirror 17 can be securelyprevented from being supplied to the wavelength conversion element 13and the external resonance mirror 14. Accordingly, utilizationefficiency of laser beam more securely improves.

Moreover, in the structure including the dichroic mirror 12 and thereflection mirror 17 as the optical path conversion element, the laserbeam W4 converted into light having the predetermined conversionwavelength can be released in the desired direction by passing throughthe wavelength conversion element 13 after reflection by the externalresonance mirror 14. By this method, the laser beam W4 and the laserbeam W3 can be easily released substantially in the same direction.

Moreover, the laser beam W4 can be directed toward the laser beam W3 bycontrolling the angle formed by the reflection mirror 17 and thedichroic mirror 12 by adjustment of the reflection mirror 17. Morespecifically, the laser beam W4 converted into light having thepredetermined conversion wavelength by the wavelength conversion element13 can be efficiently supplied to the rod integrator 20 by controllingthe incident angle of the laser beam entering the reflection mirror 17according to the size of the rod integrator 20 disposed downstream fromthe laser beam source device 1.

The optical path conversion element is not limited to the structurehaving the dichroic mirror 12 and the reflection mirror 17.

The wavelength conversion element 13 is not required to be disposed insuch a position that the upper surface 13 a of the wavelength conversionelement 13 is shifted toward the supporting substrate 2 from the endportion 12 a of the dichroic mirror 12 closest to the laser beam source11 depending on the diffusion of the laser beam reflected by thereflection mirror 17.

Modified Example of First Embodiment

According to a laser beam source device 25 in this modified example, thesize relationship between the entrance end surfaces of the dichroicmirror 12, the wavelength conversion element 13, and the externalresonance mirror 14 is different from the size relationship betweenthose components in the first embodiment. The modified example havingthis structure is now described with reference to FIG. 3. As illustratedin FIG. 3, the wavelength conversion element 13 and the externalresonance mirror 14 are fixed to the supporting substrate 2 by anot-shown fixing member.

An area L1 for receiving laser beam is produced between the broken lineA and a broken line Aa extended from an end portion 12 c of the dichroicmirror 12 closest to the wavelength conversion element 13 in thetraveling direction of the laser beam. An area L2 (effective area) is anarea for receiving the laser beam on an entrance end surface 13 b of thewavelength conversion element 13. An area L3 is an area for receivinglaser beam (effective area) on an entrance end surface 14 b of theexternal resonance mirror 14. The area L1 of the dichroic mirror 12, thearea L2 of the wavelength conversion element 13, and the area L3 of theexternal resonance mirror 14 decreases in this order.

More specifically, the size of the area L2 of the wavelength conversionelement 13 is smaller than the size of the area L1 of the dichroicmirror 12, but is sufficiently large for receiving the converged laserbeam. Similarly, the size of the area L3 of the external resonancemirror 14 is smaller than the area L2 of the wavelength conversionelement 13, but is sufficiently large for receiving the converged laserbeam.

In this structure, laser beam emitted from the laser beam source 11 isconverged by the thermal lens effect of the laser beam source 11, andthe external resonance mirror 14 is disposed at the position of beamwaist. Even in this structure having the areas L1, L2, and L3 decreasedin this order, the laser beam emitted from the laser beam source 11 cansequentially enter the areas L1, L2, and L3. Thus, the sizes of thedichroic mirror 12, the wavelength conversion element 13, and theexternal resonance mirror 14 can be reduced while preventing loss oflaser beam. Accordingly, cost reduction can be achieved.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment according to the invention is now described withreference to FIG. 4. Similar reference numbers are given to partssimilar to those of the laser beam source device 1 according to thefirst embodiment, and the same explanation is not repeated.

A laser beam source device 30 in this embodiment has the same structureas that of the laser beam source device 1 according to the firstembodiment except that a BPF 31 is equipped on the laser beam sourcedevice 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the BPF (band-pass filter, wavelengthselection element) 31 is disposed between the dichroic mirror 12 and thewavelength conversion element 13 on the optical path in the laser beamsource device 30. The BPF 31 transmits laser beam having predeterminedselection wavelength and contained in laser beam W1 emitted from thelaser beam source 11 and transmitted through the dichroic mirror 12. Bythis method, the spectrum of the oscillation wavelength of the laserbeam reciprocating between the laser beam source 11 and the externalresonance mirror 14 is limited. The BPF 31 is fixed to the supportingsubstrate 2 by a not-shown fixing member.

The BPF 31 is disposed in such a position that an upper surface 31 a ofthe BPF 31 is shifted to the supporting substrate 2 from the end portion12 a of the dichroic mirror 12 closest to the laser beam source 11. TheBPF 31 is also disposed in such a position that the upper surface 31 aof the BPF 31 is shifted to the side opposite to the supportingsubstrate 2 from the upper surface 13 a of the wavelength conversionelement 13.

More specifically, when the distance between the upper surface 2 a ofthe supporting substrate 2 and a broken line D extended from the uppersurface 31 a of the BPF 31 in the traveling direction of the laser beamis D1, the distance A1 is the longest. In this case, the distances D1,B1, and C1 decrease in this order.

According to the laser beam source device 30 in this embodiment, thelaser beam W4 reflected by the reflection mirror 17 diffuses in thetraveling direction of the laser beam W4. However, the laser beam W4 isprevented from being supplied to the BPF 31, the wavelength conversionelement 13, and the external resonance mirror 14. Thus, utilizationefficiency of laser beam improves even when the BPF 31 is used.Accordingly, the size of the rod integrator 20 disposed downstream fromthe laser beam source device 30 can be reduced.

Third Embodiment

A structure example of a lighting device 50 applying the laser beamsource device 1 as an embodiment of a lighting device according to theinvention is how described. FIG. 5 schematically illustrates thelighting device 50. FIG. 5 is a simplified figure which does not showthe dichroic mirror 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the lighting device 50 includes the laser beamsource device 1 described above, and a diffusion optical member 51 whichdiffuses laser beam emitted from the laser beam source device 1 andequalizes the illuminance distribution of the laser beam. The diffusionoptical member 51 is constituted by hologram element. More specifically,a computer generated hologram (CGH) which forms interference stripsartificially produced by calculator on a hologram plate is used. Thecomputer generated hologram capable of freely setting division areas ofdiffractive grating is preferable since no aberration is caused.

Generally, unevenness of the diffusing optical member 51 constituted bythe computer generated hologram is produced by manufacture error or thelike. In this case, clear light is not obtained. This phenomenon becomesprominent particularly when the diffusion optical member 51 is large.Moreover, the compact diffusion optical member 51 has high imageformability and provides light emission having clear and uniformilluminance distribution for the light receiving object. It is thereforedesired that the diffusion optical member 51 is made compact.

According to the lighting device 50 in this embodiment including thelaser beam source device, described above, the size of the diffusionoptical member 51 is reduced, and the image formability of light isimproved. Thus, the lighting device 50 has high performance capable ofsupplying light having sufficient clarity and uniform illuminancedistribution to the light receiving object.

While the example of the lighting device including the laser beam sourcedevice 1 has been discussed, the lighting device may include the laserbeam source device 25 according to the modified example of the firstembodiment or the laser beam source device 30 according to the secondembodiment.

Fourth Embodiment

A fourth embodiment of the invention is now described with reference toFIG. 6.

In this embodiment, a projector including the laser beam source deviceaccording to the first or second embodiment (including the modifiedexample) is explained. FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the projector inthis embodiment.

While the projector including the laser beam source device 1 accordingto the first embodiment is discussed, the laser beam source device 25according to the modified example of the first embodiment or the laserbeam source device 30 according to the second embodiment may be used.

The projector (image display apparatus) 100 in this embodiment includesa red laser beam source device 1R, green laser beam source device 1G,and the blue laser beam source device 1B for emitting red light, greenlight, and blue light. Each of these light source devices is constitutedby the light source device 1 according to the first embodiment.

The projector 100 includes transmission type liquid crystal light valves(light modulation devices, image forming devices) 104R, 104G, and 104Bfor modulating the respective color lights emitted from the laser beamsource devices 1R, 1G, and 1B, a cross dichroic prism (color combiningunit) 106 for combining lights released from the liquid crystal lightvalves 104R, 104G, and 104B and guides the combined light toward aprojection lens 107, and the projection lens (projection unit) 107 forenlarging an image formed by the liquid crystal light valves 104R, 104G,and 104B and projecting the enlarged image to a screen 110.

The projector 100 further includes equalizing systems 102R, 102G, and102B for equalizing the illuminance distribution of laser beam emittedfrom the laser beam source devices 1R, 1G, and 1B to illuminate theliquid crystal light valves 104R, 104G, and 104B by the light havingequalized illuminance distribution. In this embodiment, each of theequalizing systems 102R, 102G, and 102B is constituted by a hologram 102a and a field lens 102 b, for example.

The three color lights modulated by the liquid crystal light valves104R, 104G, and 104B enter the cross dichroic prism 106. This prism isformed by affixing four rectangular prisms to one another, and adielectric multilayer film reflecting red light and a dielectricmultilayer film reflecting blue light are provided on the inner surfaceof the cross dichroic prism 106 in X shape. The three color lights arecombined by these dielectric multilayer films to form light fordisplaying a color image. The combined light is projected on the screen110 by the projection lens 107 which is a projection system to displayan enlarged image.

Accordingly, the projector 100 in this embodiment which includes thelaser beam source devices 1 according to the first embodiment as the redlaser beam source device 1R, the green laser beam source device 1G, andthe blue laser beam source device 1B can be made compact andinexpensive, and display bright images.

While the transmission type liquid crystal light valve has been used asthe light modulation device, a reflection type light valve or a lightmodulation device other than liquid crystal type may be used. Examplesof these light valves include reflection type liquid crystal lightvalve, digital micromirror device, and others. The structure of theprojection system may be changed according to the types of the lightvalve to be used.

Fifth Embodiment

A fifth embodiment according to the invention is now described withreference to FIG. 7.

In this embodiment, a scan-type image display apparatus is discussed.FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an image display apparatus in thisembodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, an image display apparatus 200 in thisembodiment includes the laser beam source device 1 according to thefirst embodiment, an MEMS mirror (scan unit, image forming device) 202for applying light emitted from the laser beam source device 1 to ascreen 210 for scanning, and a convergence lens 203 for converging lightemitted from the laser beam source device 1 on the MEMS mirror 202. Thelight emitted from the laser beam source device 1 is applied to thescreen 210 in the horizontal and vertical directions for scanning bydriving the MEMS mirror 202. For color image display, a plurality ofemitters having red, green, and blue peak wavelengths and constitutinglaser diode are combined.

While the image display apparatus 200 including the laser beam sourcedevice 1 according to the first embodiment has been discussed in thisembodiment, the image display device 200 may include the laser beamsource device 25 according to the modified example of the firstembodiment and the laser beam source device 30 according to the secondembodiment may be used.

Sixth Embodiment

A monitoring apparatus 300 including the laser beam source device 1according to the above embodiment is now described with reference toFIG. 8.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the monitoring apparatus according tothis embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the monitoring apparatus 300 in thisembodiment includes a main body 310 and a light transmitting unit 320.The main body 310 includes the laser beam source device 1 according tothe first embodiment.

The light transmitting unit 320 has two light guides 321 and 322 on thelight sending side and light receiving side. Each of the light guides321 and 322 is formed by a number of optical fibers, and can transmitlaser beam to a distant place. The light source device 1 is disposed onthe entrance side of the light guide 321 for sending light, and adiffusion plate 323 is provided on the exit side. The laser beam emittedfrom the laser beam source device 1 is sent via the light guide 321 tothe diffusion plate 323 provided at the end of a light transmittingportion 320, and diffused by the diffusion plate 323 to illuminate asubject.

An image forming lens 324 is disposed at the end of the lighttransmitting unit 320 to receive reflection light from the subject bythe image forming lens 324. The received reflection light is sent to acamera 311 as an image pickup unit disposed within the main body 310 viathe light guide 322 on the receiving side. As a result, an imagecorresponding to the reflection light produced by illuminating thesubject using laser beam emitted from the laser beam source device 1 canbe obtained by the camera 311.

The monitoring apparatus 300 in this embodiment including the laser beamsource device 1 in the first embodiment can be made compact andinexpensive and obtain clear images.

While the monitoring device 300 including the laser beam source device 1according to the first embodiment has been discussed in this embodiment,the monitoring device 300 may include the laser beam source device 25according to the modified example of the first embodiment and the laserbeam source device 30 according to the second embodiment may be used.

The technical scope of the invention is not limited to the embodimentsdescribed and depicted herein. It is thus intended that variousmodifications and changes may be made without departing from the scopeand spirit of the invention.

For example, while the cross dichroic prism has been used as the colorcombining unit, the color combining unit may be the type which combinescolor lights by dichroic mirrors disposed in cross shape, or the typewhich combines color lights by dichroic mirrors disposed in parallel.

According to the embodiments, light having the predetermined conversionwavelength is reflected, and light having wavelength other than thepredetermined conversion wavelength is transmitted by the separatingunit. However, the structure for separation is not limited to this type.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-025646,filed Feb. 5, 2008 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

1. A laser beam source device comprising: a light source which emitslight having firs wavelength; a wavelength conversion element whichreceives the light having first wavelength and emitted from the lightsource and converts at least a part of the received light into firstlight having second wavelength different from the first wavelength; aresonance element which transmits the first light and reflects light notconverted into the first light toward the wavelength conversion element;an optical path conversion element which releases second light containedin the light reflected by the resonance element and converted into lighthaving the second wavelength by passing through the wavelengthconversion element substantially in the same direction as the directionof the first light transmitted through the resonance element; and asupporting member which supports the wavelength conversion element, theresonance element, and the optical path conversion element on one endsurface of the supporting member, wherein the resonance element isdisposed in such a position that one end surface of the resonanceelement on the second light side is shifted to the supporting memberfrom one end surface of the wavelength conversion element on the secondlight side.
 2. The laser beam source device according to claim 1,wherein the optical path conversion element includes: a separating unitdisposed between the light source and the wavelength conversion elementon the optical path to release the second light contained in the lightreflected by the resonance element in a direction different from thedirection toward the light source, and release the remaining light notconverted into the second light toward the light source; and areflecting unit which reflects the second light released from theseparating unit substantially in the same direction as the direction ofthe first light transmitted through the resonance element.
 3. The laserbeam source device according to claim 2, wherein the wavelengthconversion element is disposed in such a position that the one endsurface of the wavelength conversion element is shifted to thesupporting member from the end portion of the separating unit closest tothe light source.
 4. The laser beam source device according to claim 1,wherein the areas on the end surfaces of the optical path conversionelement, the wavelength conversion element, and the resonance elementfor receiving light emitted from the light source decrease in the orderof optical path conversion element, the wavelength conversion element,and the resonance element.
 5. The laser beam source device according toclaim 2, further comprising: a wavelength selection element disposedbetween the optical path conversion element and the wavelengthconversion element on the optical path to transmit light contained inthe light released from the optical path conversion element and havingpredetermined selection wavelength, wherein the wavelength selectionelement is disposed in such a position that one end surface of thewavelength selection element is shifted to the supporting member fromthe end portion of the separating unit closest to the light source.
 6. Alighting device comprising: the laser beam source device according toclaim 1; and a diffusion optical member disposed in the travelingdirection of laser beam emitted from the laser beam source device.
 7. Animage display apparatus, comprising: the laser beam source deviceaccording to claim 1; and an image forming device which displays animage having desired size on a display surface by using light emittedfrom the laser beam source device.
 8. A monitoring apparatus comprising:the laser beam source device according to claim 1; and an image pickupunit which shoots an image of a subject by using laser beam emitted fromthe laser beam source device.